Good Starter Guitar?

[DHC6twinotter]

Hey all,

I'm currently musically challenged and would like to attempt the electric guitar. Do any of you musically talented folks out there have a suggestion for a good, cheap starter guitar and amp?

Are there any suggested bits I need such as pedals, etc?

Below is a set I found on the local craigslist:

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/msg/553388146.html

What do you all think? Too starterish?

Thanks all! :D

[YotaGirl]

That looks just like the starter kit my brother got when he learned.

Those fenders are pretty good guitars. I'd go with that. Good price too it seems.

[elripster]

I would just suggest an electric as opposed to an acoustic. I taught for years and trust, acoustics are much harder to play. Also, if you don't listen to acoustic music primarily, you won't relate to the instrument as well.

Get something cheap and used. If you decide you don't like it, you can probably get what you paid for it. If you do, you can upgrade and still get what you paid for it.

Frank

[EWAYota]

I use a Psyclone King Maker.

As you can see it has a whammy bar which I really like.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31TsT2qEYPL._SS260_.jpg

:D



Though playing it makes me really want to learn to play for real, I just can't move my fingers like I need too.

[04 Rocko Taco]

HAha Eway - I use the kingmaker too, but just for reference to the OP, I also started with a Fender Squire, and it was an easy guitar to learn on, good luck!!

[4LowLocked]

Remember, when you start, your fingers will kill for a few weeks until you build up the calluses. When I first started, many people told me to start with a classical guitar which is similar to the acoustic, however it uses nylon strings rather than metal allowing more forgiveness and is much easier on your fingers. You can then move to an electric or electric acoustic much easier.

Right now I am in the process of picking up a 12string acoustic - something I have always wanted.

My first guitar I ever picked up as a kid was a double neck electric - it was as heavy as me at the time lol

[DHC6twinotter]

I use a Psyclone King Maker.

As you can see it has a whammy bar which I really like.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31TsT2qEYPL._SS260_.jpg

:D



Though playing it makes me really want to learn to play for real, I just can't move my fingers like I need too.


I have a hard enough time playing one of those. :laugh:

[DHC6twinotter]

Remember, when you start, your fingers will kill for a few weeks until you build up the calluses. When I first started, many people told me to start with a classical guitar which is similar to the acoustic, however it uses nylon strings rather than metal allowing more forgiveness and is much easier on your fingers. You can then move to an electric or electric acoustic much easier.


That is one thing I was wondering about. My hands are pretty soft, so I think that is going to be the hardest thing to deal with. If I can build up some calluses on my hands, maybe I won't have to worry about being hit on by a gay guy again. :yikes: :gay2:

[Seanz0rz]

Remember, when you start, your fingers will kill for a few weeks until you build up the calluses. When I first started, many people told me to start with a classical guitar which is similar to the acoustic, however it uses nylon strings rather than metal allowing more forgiveness and is much easier on your fingers. You can then move to an electric or electric acoustic much easier.


That is one thing I was wondering about. My hands are pretty soft, so I think that is going to be the hardest thing to deal with. If I can build up some calluses on my hands, maybe I won't have to worry about being hit on by a gay guy again. :yikes: :gay2:



sooo thats the secret!!!! wait, i dont have nice hands.... must be something else.

[cobradcab6]

i just wouldn't go to cheap though. if i had it to do over again i would have spent more to get a better quality guitar to start with cause crappy guitars are harder to play than the nicer ones. but i'm an acoustic player so it may be a little different with electric. whatever you end up with, just remember it takes time and patience. one of the toughest parts of learning a guitar is getting past the "wow i sound like crap" stage. its hard to work on technique and chords and stuff and not get discouraged by the awful sounds you'll be making.

[4LowLocked]

Ya - my girlfriends brother got an electric starter combo that was very cheap (came with amp too for around 125 brand new) but the frets are very sharp and dont let you slide over it nicely. I actually sliced my finger open on one so I have been filing them down on the edges. Whatever guitar you choose, hold it and try playing basic items with moving your hands around first before you offer any money! Then you will know what feels good and what doesnt

[DHC6twinotter]

So, I called the dude from the craigslist ad I posted earlier, and I'll be looking at it tomorrow at lunch. A buddy of mine that plays is going to look at it with me, since I have no clue what I'm looking at.

4Low, I'll definately see how sharp the frets are, but I probably won't be able to play any basics on it...lol.:hillbill:

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[elripster]

I can totally relate to both sides of the issue as far as getting a nicer guitar right off the back or not. I wish I had too since that was like 18 years ago and I can't put it down. But who knew... Then someone gives it a shot and decides they hate it. Ya never know until you try though.

One good thing about buying used is that you can buy a nicer one and typically not have to worry about depreciation.

Also, your amp is going to have a HUGE affect on the sound quality. Often (not always of course) the amp is more influential than the guitar itself as far as tone.

Frank

[garrett]

i just wouldn't go to cheap though. if i had it to do over again i would have spent more to get a better quality guitar to start with cause crappy guitars are harder to play than the nicer ones. but i'm an acoustic player so it may be a little different with electric. whatever you end up with, just remember it takes time and patience. one of the toughest parts of learning a guitar is getting past the "wow i sound like crap" stage. its hard to work on technique and chords and stuff and not get discouraged by the awful sounds you'll be making.


very true... get more than just a beginner guitar... i was too cheap and now i have 3 very basic guitars that i hardly ever play. obviously, you get what you pay for

[4runnerchevy]

Twenty years ago I played. I had a Ibanez, a Charvel then a Jackson solid body electric. I gave it up when I realized I wasn't gonna be a rockstar. My father in-law got me a Yamaha acoustic for Christmas. It is a cheap beginner, but has a good sound. It came with a soft case, and tuner. Amazing it's like riding a bike, it all comes back to you. Personally I am glad I am starting over with an acoustic. I do a lot of camping, and an electric doesn't pack well.

[4LowLocked]

So, I called the dude from the craigslist ad I posted earlier, and I'll be looking at it tomorrow at lunch. A buddy of mine that plays is going to look at it with me, since I have no clue what I'm looking at.

4Low, I'll definately see how sharp the frets are, but I probably won't be able to play any basics on it...lol. :hillbill:

Thanks for all the suggestions!


So how did it go? Did you end up picking it up

[DHC6twinotter]

Yep, I picked it up yesterday. It's in amazing shape, and still had the plastic covering the pic guard. Even had the warranty card with it. Friend of mine that went along said he would probably buy it if I didn't, so I had to pick it up. :hillbill: Paid 150 for it, so hopefully that was a pretty good deal. I'll post some pics of it later.

Hopefully I'm not going to kick myself for not buying something nicer. I completely understand what you all were saying about buying a better guitar to start off with and that was sorta a debate I was going through, but I'm just a poor college student that didn't feel like paying more than $200 for anything. I don't even know how to read music. :hillbill:

Thanks all for the help. :D

[4LowLocked]

Awesome - congrats!! If you need a place to start, try http://www.guitarforbeginners.com/forum/guitar-lessons-forum/

They have some great starter lessons on chords on there

[4LowLocked]

Oh ya - and the most important thing to learn right at the start - how to properly tune the guitar! If your sound is off, its going to be hard to train your ears what notes should sound like!

[elripster]

Cool deal man. You know even if you decide that guitar isn't your sound, it still has a distinctive sound you might want occasionally. It's normal to acquire more than one guitar. I have like 5.

Lessons aren't bad but if you have the discipline you can teach yourself. Just remember, no basebal bat gripping of the neck. It kills your ability to stretch over the frets. When you start doing scales, focus among other things on one finger/fret so they all get strong. (I used to teach...)

Frank